Companies hiring for the holidays

Every year, it seems as though retailers are prepping for the holiday
season earlier and earlier. Before Halloween even arrives, some stores
have already started running advertisements or stocking their shelves
with gifts for the winter holidays. While, for some, October may be a
little early to think about the holiday season, it’s not too early for
companies to start hiring for it.

Not only are companies beginning to hire for the holidays now, but
they’ll be adding additional staff this year. According to a new CareerBuilder survey,
39 percent of retail hiring managers plan to hire seasonal workers this
year, up from 36 percent last year and 29 percent in 2011. Employers in
information technology (18 percent), leisure and hospitality (16
percent) and financial services (16 percent) also plan to hire seasonal
staff.

“Seasonal employment is expected to be somewhat better than last year
and can lead to more than just extra income for workers,” says Brent
Rasmussen, president of CareerBuilder North America. “Nearly half (49
percent) of U.S. employers who are hiring seasonal workers plan to
transition some into full-time, permanent staff. This is up 10
percentage points over last year and indicative of a growing trend where
employers are test-driving candidates before committing to a long-term
hire. Seasonal work is a good way for job seekers to network, showcase
their abilities and secure a permanent position in a variety of
industries.”

Hot areas for seasonal hiring
Job seekers interested in seasonal positions should consider looking
beyond just retail stores because there is a wide range of opportunities
in corporate settings as companies wrap up the year. Popular positions
companies will be recruiting for this holiday season include:

Customer service — 33 percent

Shipping/delivery — 18 percent

Inventory management — 17 percent

Administrative/clerical — 15 percent

Sales (non-retail) — 12 percent

Marketing — 9 percent

Accounting/finance — 6 percent

How to find holiday jobs
If you’re a job seeker looking for seasonal work, try searching online
job sites, going to a company’s website directly or visiting niche
sites, such as WorkInRetail.com, that specialize in the types of jobs companies are often hiring for during the holidays.

You can also start your search now by checking out the below list of 14 companies hiring for the holidays: